Shaw Neighborhood Peace Parade, September 7, 2001

"We need to provide America’s youth with the tools necessary to reduce violence. Without question, with organizations like the YLSN at the forefront, we can meet this challenge. I commend you for your advocacy and your dedication to improving the lives of America’s young people." – Senator Edward M. Kennedy, 2003

YLSN Spring 2008 Update

YLSN’s 10th year coincides with a time of great change in Washington DC, the nation and the world. It is a time of celebration, concern and civic engagement.

It’s election year with politics in full swing in Washington DC and across the nation. The eyes of the world are closely watching a historic presidential election that will bring change to the nation. Washington leaders are making headlines, but living in the capital city has far more immediate attention-grabbing realities, especially if you are young.

Welcome to DC, the District of Columbia. DC’s poverty rate hovers around 20%, higher still for young adults 18-24 (31%) and children (33%). DC teen death rates are almost three times national averages and incarcerated youth are more than double national averages. The problems are many.

DC’s children make up  20% of the population. They are 71% African American, 16% white, 10% Latino and 3% everyone else. Youth populations in the DC metro area are among the most diverse in the world. Young people from around the nation and world visit DC on educational, cultural and advocacy trips, internships, attending schools, job opportunities and as tourists. Likewise, youth from the DC area travel.

Youth Leadership Support Network is a violence prevention, arts, education, media and training network based in Washington DC. It's mission is to empower youth to express themselves and have a voice in society through intergenerational and diverse leadership opportunities and civic engagement. YLSN has programs in leadership development, arts, media, history, critical issues and youth2youth networking.

Now in it’s 10th year, YLSN has worked with nearly twenty thousand youth, hundreds of musicians and artists, dozens of media mentors and networked with sister organizations around the block and around the world.

YLSN trainers and talent have provided hundreds of workshops and forums for organizations and schools covering critical issues and practical skills to cultural celebration. YLSN arts activism includes neighborhood peace parades, community and conference festivals, mural and banner-making, music, dance, puppets, theater and multi-media.  Youth summits combine arts, intergenerational activism, skill sharing and networking. YLSN networks circle the globe with neighborhood roots.

This year also marks 25 years since the founding of DC Student Coalition against Apartheid and Racism (DC SCAR, 1983 – 1998). YLSN is digitizing  the DC Youth Activism Archives with a feature on DC SCAR. The DC Youth Media Collaboration supports youth media and contributes to the archives as a living history project. Youth and arts-activism history are central components of YLSN’s intergenerational approach.

YLSN’s first project created and published  “Paul Robeson: Voice of the People” curriculum for area schools and organizations. Robeson will be featured as 10th anniversary events begin with talent stretching from South Africa to Hollywood.

Roots and Leaves

We have done a considerable amount over the last decade, important years in Washington and the District. This year and next are even more important as our city, nation and world face new promise, problems and solutions. 

YLSN is planning a series of events over the next several months that will highlight youth programs, arts-activism, history and forums that will bring Washington closer to DC and DC youth voices to their neighbors, the nation and world. Change begins at home, and DC is home to the nation. We need the nation's support for democracy in DC.

YLSN is local to DC neighborhoods and metro area, intergenerational, inter-organizational, majority people of color, performing artists, working poor/working-class and a slight majority women. With patience, perseverance, and preparedness…we have promoted peace. We have hosted many and travelled far. We are both witness to and makers of change.

In the process, young people and their mentors are better supported and more aware of youth and community resources, people coming to DC are introduced to local networks and cultures, programs and institutions have access to mentors, trainers and talent. Friendships are made. Most importantly, DC, MD and VA youth voices are heard. Around the block and around the world.

We appreciate your support.

The Youth Leadership Support Network
PO Box 5372 | Takoma Park, MD | 202.316.4403

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© 2007 Youth Leadership Support Network